給青年的一封信：走向沒有走過的路

書 3:3-4 (CUV)
3:3 吩咐百姓說：「你們看見耶和華─你們神的約櫃，又見祭司利未人抬著，就要離開所住的地方，跟著約櫃去。
3:4 只是你們和約櫃相離要量二千肘，不可與約櫃相近，使你們知道所當走的路，因為這條路你們向來沒有走過。」

在台灣，大約在這個時候，學期差不多快要結束了，大多數學校都在忙著辦理『畢業典禮』，對於即將畢業，和要進入下一個學期的人，都是要面臨人生下一步的挑戰。

信仰就是帶領我們面對這樣人生未知的路，聖經當中談到約書亞也是如此，當時要帶領以色列百姓走向進入迦南地的第一站，走著走著，竟然要面對他上任的第一個關卡：約旦河。對他和百姓而言，這都是他們向來沒有走過的路。

不僅僅是學生，即使在工作中，我們有時也會面對人生未知的考驗，有很多的路是我們人生向來沒有走過的路，有時也確實會懼怕。

約旦河的挑戰

1. 代表擺在眼前的天然屏障

在進入迦南地前，他們必須通過兩個考驗，第一個就是這個約旦河，第二是之後的耶利哥城，約旦河代表著天然的屏障，耶利哥城牆代表人為的智慧結晶，神要帶領百姓進迦南地，也需要訓練百姓對神有絕對的信心，有著完全倚靠神的心，才能進去。

回想四十年前，當時的領導者摩西派十二個探子去窺探迦南地，明明看到同一快地，但是只有加勒和約書亞兩個人報好消息，其餘十個人都報壞消息，報壞消息的認為那地的人是吞吃居民之地，是偉人，在他們眼前百姓如同蚱蜢一樣（民十三32-33）。也因為這個原因，百姓在曠野走了四十年，現在四十年過後，要挑戰同一塊地，考驗著他們倚靠神的信心，這是他們要克服的障礙。

2. 代表聖潔與否的關鍵

書 3:5 (CUV)
3:5 約書亞吩咐百姓說：「你們要自潔，因為明天耶和華必在你們中間行奇事。」

神代百姓走向沒有走過的路，是要在百姓中間行奇事，神蹟奇事的發生是建立在神的百姓願意自潔，因此神的，當然也是考驗著他們是否能夠願意順服，成為聖潔的一條界線。

很多的人，在進入大學以前，或者現在準備離開大學這個階段，也是考驗著是否能夠自潔的一條分水嶺，以前或許有家長、教會同靈的情誼關係，願意和神的兒女『一起走』，進入教會生活，但是很多的人離開學校、離開團契的彼此約束力，似乎要不要進迦南地這件事情也成為與神之間最艱難的選擇，願意自潔的人，才能夠進到神所賜的迦南地去。

如何走向這沒有走過的路？

1. 晝夜思想神的話

書 1:7-8 (CUV)
1:7 只要剛強，大大壯膽，謹守遵行我僕人摩西所吩咐你的一切律法，不可偏離左右，使你無論往哪裏去，都可以順利。
1:8 這律法書不可離開你的口，總要晝夜思想，好使你謹守遵行這書上所寫的一切話。如此，你的道路就可以亨通，凡事順利。

對約書亞而言，他也是沒有走過這一條路，以前都是看著前輩摩西帶領，現在是換他帶領百姓，摩西也沒有真正走過約旦河，也沒有打過耶利哥城，經驗上是沒有辦法傳承給約書亞去面對現實層面的挑戰，對我們今日而言也是一樣，前輩多麽地倚靠神，有美好信仰的經驗，當然我們要紀念，可是我們面對的情況或許與前輩更複雜，很多的路前輩也沒有『親身』走過，但是給我們安慰的是，我們的神是一樣的。

神教導約書亞，要如何在所行的道路上亨通，凡事順利，就是思想摩西的律法書，就是神的話語，神所頒布的一切誡命，律例，典章，並且晝夜思想，表示這是每一天的生活習慣，只要這樣行，就能夠在所行的路上亨通，凡事順利。

詩 119:77-78 (CUV)
119:77 願你的慈悲臨到我，使我存活，因你的律法是我所喜愛的。
119:78 願驕傲人蒙羞，因為他們無理地傾覆我；但我要思想你的訓詞。

詩 119:92-93 (CUV)
119:92 我若不是喜愛你的律法，早就在苦難中滅絕了！
119:93 我永不忘記你的訓詞，因你用這訓詞將我救活了。

人生很多時候會遇到絕境，也會面臨走向苦難的時刻，但是以前的人是如何走過？就是是思想神的話語，因著思想神的話語，喜愛神的律法，因此走過了許多苦難，苦難當中思想神的話，神就與人同在，本來快要死的生命，但是神用他的訓詞將我們就活了。

面對人生的下一步，或許很多的人會告訴我們要走什麼路比較好，但是每一個人的人生都是神在帶領，唯一不變的就是神的話語，我們即將要畢業的大學生，應當要養成『每日讀經』，晝夜思想神的話語的習慣，讓我們所做的盡都很亨通，凡事順利，因為神與我們同在。

2. 順服聖靈成為聖潔

約旦河成為他們是否成為聖潔的界線，四十年前因著對神失去信心，有許多人意，血氣在當中，因此抗拒神的恩典，沒辦法用信心的眼光看見神要賜給他們的地是美好之地，因此在曠野打轉四十年。

四十年過後，面對同樣的考驗，也換了新一代的百姓，這些百姓是沒有看過上一代神怎麼帶領他們前輩過紅海的，現在考驗著這一代對神的信心，也是對自身情慾的爭戰，約旦河的水在當時在收割的日子漲過兩岸（書三15），情慾的事也是一樣，來勢洶洶，要衝滅不願意倚靠聖靈、順服聖靈的人。

祭司的腳還沒有踏下去以前，是還沒有看到神的作為的，但是當他們願意順服，追求分別為聖的心，成為聖潔，神就在上游的水停住，立起城壘，讓下流的水全然斷絕（書三16），原來順服聖靈，成為聖潔，就能看見神帶我們親自走過向來沒有走過的人生路。

加 6:7-9 (CUV)
6:7 不要自欺，神是輕慢不得的；人種的是甚麼，收的也是甚麼。
6:8 順著情慾撒種的，必從情慾收敗壞；順著聖靈撒種的，必從聖靈收永生。
6:9 我們行善，不可喪志；若不灰心，到了時候，就要收成。

順著聖靈走，有如種下除掉情慾的種子，就是人不願意順服神的心，內心的污穢，這過程中或許也會喪志，但是不要灰心，順著聖靈撒種，持續倚靠聖靈成為聖潔的人生，必從聖靈收永生。

在這個時刻，是我們面對神的時刻，即將要面臨人生的下一步，要走向沒有走過的路，考驗著我們追求自潔的一條線，願主帶領我們所有青年，在主面前立志，要專心倚靠主，順服聖靈的帶領，將自己分別為聖，走向那條向來沒有走過的路。

As for Me and My Family, We will Serve God (Joshua 24)

 (Joshua 24:15) And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Religion can be said as something that will become a lifestyle for you after you believe in God. Everyone starts seeking the real God at different times. Some people start to find God when their lives become desperate. Some people know God because their parents tell them about this true God, and pass this faith to them. This is to tell us that God's divinity and eternal power are knowable. Everyone should take the chance to know this true God in heaven.

God chosen Joshua to be a spiritual leader, when his life came to the last part, he told God's chosen people” I am going the way of all the earth (Joshua 23:14). Joshua encouraged people that they must follow true God. Look back at how God led them out of the Gentile land from the Pola River, help them to get away from not believing the one true God. Now they enter Canaan, this is God's grace. Joshua not only encouraged the people but lead as an example telling people that he and his family will believe in Jesus the true God. Telling his whole life's religion and show that his expectation on his descendant, that they only believe in this true God.

(Acts 16:29-30)
29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

There was a jailer who was mentioned in the Bible. He was once desperate because there was an earthquake which cause all the jail doors opened. All the prisoner's chains were opened. The jailer woke up and saw all the doors were opened. He thought that all prisoners escaped. He was about to kill himself but God's grace appeared to him. Those prisoners did not escape. God arranged two of his workers Paul and Silas to sing in jail. They did not escape. Seeing them like that makes him realize that this is grace from God. He humbly asked how to be saved. This grace also appeared to his family. His whole family accepted the baptism of forgiveness and became very joyful.

This precious faith cannot be only for oneself. We need to pass it from generation to generation. We need to use "home" as the unit. The whole family believes in God. People who are reading this article. We sincerely invite you, grasp the time to accept the baptism of the blood of the Lord Jesus, serve and worship the only true God. To our church members. The whole family belief in the Lord is our goal. The whole family believing God, worshiping God is our life benchmark. The book Joshua is a chapter talking about the passing of religion. Now we have finished this book, hoping that all of our readers will keep this precious faith, follow God's way. Hope that all of our readers can be like Joshua: As for me and my family, we will serve God.

(Psalm 71:17-18) 17 O God, You have taught me from my youth; And to this day I declare Your wondrous works. 18 Now also when I am old and gray-headed, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come.

Translated by 余姿瑩

Joshua 23

(Joshua 23:6-8)

6 Therefore be very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, lest you turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left,

7 and lest you go among these nations, these who remain among you. You shall not make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause anyone to swear by them; you shall not serve them nor bow down to them,

8 but you shall hold fast to the Lord your God, as you have done to this day.

 

According to God’s promise, God will let the new generation go into Canaan. They experienced the dry land of the Jordan River (Joshua 3) defeated the Canaanite nations (Joshua 6-12). Looking back, we can know that these all are miracles made by God. If God didn’t be the marshal of the Israel people. People were slaves to Egyptians. Who has the faith to pass through the terrible weather wilderness? Who have the confidence to beat those Anakim, who was much taller than them and protected the cities of Canaan? Who can take the responsibility to take care of Israelites and lead them to the land of Canaan?

(Joshua 23:14) "Behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth. And you know in all your hearts and all your souls that not one thing has failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spoke concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one word of them has failed

                                                           

God is justice and loves people. He will protect his sheep but only if his sheep follow him.

When Moses and Joshua were leaders, when they inheritance positions from other people they have been told repeatedly, "You should be careful and follow God’s words".

When the people were in Egypt, God already commands Moses that they cannot worship idols as Canalise did. They need to follow God’s words and God will help them to beat the enemy. (Exodus 23:22-33)

Before Moses died, he told Joshua that he needs to be alerted and follow the decrees and laws. Because this is related to the life you will live longer by God’s guidance. (Deuteronomy 32:44-47)

 

Finally, before Joshua died, he told the people that they shouldn’t worship other gods, don’t be associate with Canalise and follow God and love God with all their heart and not walk sideways. (Joshua 23:6-8)

God will only protect the sheep who follow His command. Smart sheep will listen to the shepherd, it wouldn’t walk sideways. Listen to the shepherd’s instruction can never go wrong. If a sheep follows its shepherd, they will always be food and water although they might be some difficulty if it listens to the shepherd’s voice, it will finally find a restful waterside.

Joshua was once timid, so God once told him confidently: Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. (Joshua:1 6-9) So at this moment, Joshua decided to stand up! Because he experiences God’s love and learns from his teacher Moses how God lead the people to get out of the wilderness. Follow God forever and not walk sideways. The only way to save your life is to be baptized and enter the sheepfold. Learn from Moses and Joshua that you need to listen to a shepherd, follow God’s instruction, and love God with all your heart.

(Psalm 91:14-16) 14 "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. 15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation."

 Translated by 余姿瑩

The Unity in The Witness Altar(Joshua 22)

27 but that it may be a witness between you and us and our generations after us, that we may perform the service of the Lord before Him with our burnt offerings, with our sacrifices, and with our peace offerings; that your descendants may not say to our descendants in time to come, "You have no part in the Lord." '28 Therefore we said that it will be, when they say this to us or our generations in time to come, that we may say, 'Here is the replica of the altar of the Lord which our fathers made, though not for burnt offerings nor for sacrifices; but it is a witness between you and us.'(Joshua 22:27-28)

When God's people finish seven years of war, the two-and-a-half-tribe people went back to the East of Jordan River. Because they already have inherent there. An altar was erected, which looked tall. (Joshua,22:10) After the other people at the west of Jordan river hear this, they gather at Shiloh ready to attack. During this tense moment, nine-and-a-half tribes sent a delegation headed by the priest Phineha. They first went to the east side of the Jordan river to persuade and understand what they want to do. After knowing their purpose, understanding that they aren't going to abandon the True God and worship another God. The alter is proof to their descendant that all the people who live on either west or east side of the Jordan river are a family as they are all Abraham's descendants. The delegation thinks this is a beautiful thing to do and told the other tribes. This resolves the crisis of the brothers. The people named this alter the Altar, Ed.

(Deuteronomy 12:13-14)

13 Take heed to yourself that you do not offer your burnt offerings in every place that you see;

14 but in the place which the Lord chooses, in one of your tribes, there you shall offer your burnt offerings, and there you shall do all that I command you.

God once commanded the elect in Deuteronomy, that they need to sacrifice at God's chosen place. Why is it so troublesome? This is because whenever there's a God's festival, the people need to come from where they live to listen to God's command and maintain the same model of worship. This is to avoid the people to worship the other God. God has only chosen one place to teach the Truth which is to help their descendant to use worship God the same way. This is also why when the people who live on the west side of the Jordan river became angry when they hear the people who live on the east side of the Jordan river wants to build an altar for themselves. This is to keep the same way of worship.

(2 Corinthians 11:4) For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received or a different gospel which you have not accepted--you may well put up with it!

(2 Corinthians 12:18) I urged Titus and sent our brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?

During the apostle era, they were only one church. A lot of apostles went to another place to establish this True Jesus Church. They will use this area's name to call the church. The church at Ephesus was called Ephesus church, the church at Galatians region was called Galatians church. As they all are True Jesus Church, they need to follow the same instruction. By receiving the promised Holy Spirt baptism this became God's church. During that era, churches in the Corinth region hear someone preached another Jesus to them which from their point of view that is called another Jesus and another gospel. From this, we can know that Jesus preached by the apostle's gospel was the only Truth. From the Bible’s perspective, we can see that all True Jesus church is preaching one Truth. We cannot build an altar in another place and worship God in our way. This is the unity that God has shown on the altar of witness.

Friends, do you believe in God? We should preach the same truth as the apostles.  God's church is indivisible, there is only one. Just like the place chosen by God to worship God, they are only one way. The world gives us the reason that we need to be diverse, worship God as we please. Just like the altar's event. People who believe in God must see the truth inside the altar. Let’s preaching together, believe in the truth that apostles are preaching. We need to come back to this only place that we can preach to God, receive one Truth, one flock, and one shepherd.

(John 10:16) And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice, and there will be one flock and one shepherd.

Translated by Nicole

 

Levite's Inheritance(Joshua 21)

All the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of Israel were forty-eight cities with their common-lands (Joshua 21:41)

    God blessed Levites, Although Levities were separate around tribes, they received the cities and common lands as commanded by the Lord, they received forty-eight cities, Only the tribe of Judah (Joshua 20-62) and the tribe of Manasheh receive more cities than Levites (Joshua 29-30), Levites should be grateful as they did not deserve such grace from the Lord.

    "Behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work which they perform, the work of the tabernacle of meeting. (Numbers 18:21)

    How can Levities receive this much inheritance? This is because Israelites dedicate tithes to Levites. If the people appreciate holy workers, then the Levites will work harder for God. Which will create a positive cycle and will help the people to have more faith in God. God chosen Levites instead of first-born Israelites. Although they were separated between tribes. God will rewarded people who work for Him. They seem to have no inheritance but behind this is countless grace and rich inheritance.

    (Mark 10:29-30) So Jesus answered and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's, 30 who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time--houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions--and in the age to come, eternal life.

    Due to the gospel, we have to leave things behind that we want to do on Earth, this seems to be a sacrifice but it is a blessing. This is a test from God on our faith. We don't need to broke our relationship with our family because we need to preach the gospel. But if we are willing to put the gospel on our priority list, knowing that nothing is more important than God. God's grace will bless us from our current life to eternal life.

    Sometimes we have to make a decision in our religion. There is a man in the bible called Peter. Before he met God, he was a fisher. One night when he couldn’t catch fish all night, he listened to God's instructions. He moved the boat to a deeper place, put down the net, and fishing. As he believed Jesus, he dropped down the net and fish, what he got was two boats of fish. Knowing that he is like a sinner, if there’s no God then there is no meaning in our life. Jesus call Peter and promised him that he will be a fisher of men so Peter left all things and followed God.

    From a person’s perspective, if they aren't life how could they have time to follow religion? But from God's perspective if they are not religious then they are no life because religion is life. Maybe we can't foreseen eternal life now but if we don't seize the time to know God then we will lose more grace. If we are willing to sacrifice our life and follow God then God will bless us. This is because God is our inheritance.

    (Joshua 13:33) But to the tribe of Levi Moses had given no inheritance; the Lord God of Israel was their inheritance, as He had said to them.

Translated by Nicole

 

 

 

Set Apart the Cities of Refugee (Joshua20)

The Lord also spoke to Joshua, saying, "Speak to the children of Israel, saying: 'Appoint for yourselves cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses,  (Joshua 20:1-2) 

    For the establishment of the city of refuge, please refer to Numbers 35:9-28 and Deuteronomy 19:1- 13. 

    Joshua led a new generation of Israelites into the promised land. God told Joshua to follow "what Moses told you". This is the inheritance and succession of faith. 

    He wants to live in that city and stand in front of the congregation to hear the judgment. When the high priest is dead, the murderer can return to his home in the city, which is the city from which he escaped. (Joshua 20:6) 

    The city of refuge is a sanctuary, a place that can be accepted, in the arms of Jesus, and the true church of Jesus. If you have the opportunity to enter the city of refuge, you must leave the city and live a new life. For those who want to enter the city of refuge (church, fellowship), we should accept them, just like the Lord Jesus accepts us. 

    The murderer will flee to one of these cities, stand at the gate, and tell his story to the elders in the city. They took him into the city and gave him a place to live among them. (Joshua 20:4) The description of the city of refuge is different from those recorded in the Book of Numbers and Deuteronomy. It records what "the murderer" has to do-"Tell his affairs to the elders in the city "Listen" and telling our mistakes of "unintentionally killing people" is like kneeling before the mercy seat and acknowledging our weakness. Weakness can also be said to be a turning point in grace and the key to obtaining blessings. When we are weak when we can be strong（2 Corinthians12：10）.  Accept the weakness in life and let God’s grace appear perfect in our weakness（2 Corinthians12：9）. 

    We who have entered the city of refuge may also have a fellowship that makes us feel safe. In such a refuge, have we "told our weakness to the elders in the city" and properly exposed and shared our weaknesses, Let the members of the fellowship "receive us into the city", accept us as members of each other, and face the weakness and inherit the grace of life together. 

    I have heard of brothers and sisters who don’t often participate in fellowship meetings. They flashed after the meeting, and occasionally they had the opportunity to care for a few words at the door of the church, and in private, I heard them say that "the church has no love". Participation and a little more interaction allow us to walk into each other’s lives. Apart from gathering and listening to the sermons, we can have more sharing and reflection. To grow up, learn together the lessons of "being accompanied by faith", "accepting each other", and "life affects life". What a wonderful, joyous and satisfying church life like this! 

    (Philippians 2:5) Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 
    (Philippians 2:1-2) 1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

Translated by Nicole

(Joshua19)

When they had made an end of dividing the land as an inheritance according to their borders, the children of Israel gave an inheritance among them to Joshua the son of Nun. According to the word of the Lord they gave him the city which he asked for, Timnath Serah in the mountains of Ephraim; and he built the city and dwelt in it.(Joshua 19:49-50)

    In the final division of the west of the Jordan river, Joshua sent people to conduct field surveys and draw maps, so that the remaining seven tribes were able to divide all the land by casting lots at the gate of the tent of meeting in Shiloh before the Lord. What is worth pondering is that Caleb and Joshua were the only two good spies who spied on Canaan, stood alone, and reported the good news. What place did they choose? From the record of Joshua chapters 14 and 19: Caleb was the first choice among the subdivisions to the west of the Jordan; he did not choose an easy-to-capture or superior location, but a dangerous place—the greatest figure of the Anakis. The place where Ba is located-Gilead Abba, is the famous Hebron of later generations (Joshua 14). Joshua was the last chosen in the west of the Jordan River. He chose a city in the Ephraim Mountains called Timnasila. The name of the city was "The Remaining Part". There are strong enemies (Joshua 17: 14-18).

    Caleb, who picked the land first, and Joshua, who chose the land last, chose to attack the place where the most dangerous and terrifying Anakis (giants) were. They were not selfish, pick what others have left, and reclaim the worst areas. From the choices of these two people, we can see that they are really not easy. No wonder it is the only leader among all Israelis who have walked through the Red Sea, spied on Canaan, and stepped into Canaan with faith.

    This is why they have been able to stand unshakably before God and the people for more than four decades. By carefully observing what they have said, the way they have traveled, and the place they have chosen, we can reflect on what kind of leaders in the church today need to have. Traits? What can we learn and imitate from them? Whether it is a person who took care of a class or the head of the Taiwan General Conference, can we be as humble, confident, loyal to God, not greedy, and not selfish like the two of them? Become a good leader and fulfill the duty of feeding and shepherding among the flock, just as Elder Peter said: I, as an elder, a testimony of Christ’s suffering, and sharing the glory that will be revealed later, urge you to be with me. A fellow elder. Shepherd the flock of God among you and take care of them according to God's will; not out of reluctance, but out of willingness; not out of greed, but out of willingness. Nor is it entrusted to you by the rule, but to be an example to the flock. (1 Peter 5:1-3) I hope that we can all learn from Caleb's faith in following Jehovah's perilous faith and Joshua's example of setting a good example, and look after each other in the sheepfold of the church, inspire love, and encourage good deeds! (Hebrews 10:24)

    Follow the example of the "Shepherd" Lord Christ, focus on him, and work hard to run the path of eternal life in the kingdom of heaven!

Translated by Nicole

The Remaining Seven Tribes Allot Their Inheritance(Joshua18)

Then Joshua said to the children of Israel: "How long will you neglect to go and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers has given you?(Joshua 18:3) 

This chapter and the next chapter are the processes of the second division of land. Over time, relying on the power of God, the three tribes of Judah, Ephraim, and Manasseh among the twelve tribes of Israel have all allocated their land east of the river.  The other two and a half tribes who live on the west side of the river are about to return to their land. The tribe of Levi did not divide the land and the remaining seven tribes were slow to move, indifferent to the land they deserved.

Joshua inherited Moses' desire to serve God exclusively-to move the Tabernacle from Gilgal to Shiloh (in the territory of Ephraim), the center of Canaan. Because God's tabernacle is among the elect, the elect can be blessed by it.

While the entire congregation was gathered in Shiloh, he rebuked the seven tribes and ordered them to quickly form a "21-person task force." This team must travel all over those places without fear of difficulty; The distribution and other information are drawn into a map. Divide the land into seven so that Joshua can draw lots for them before God.

The idleness and inaction of these seven tribes are like when we lose our watchful heart after receiving the truth and think that we are still spiritually rich, but in fact, we no longer follow the Lord exclusively and humbly. On the surface, I believe in the Lord. But I still love the world in my heart. I have the mark of the Holy Spirit on my body, but I don’t want to make progress. If you still harden your heart and insist on going your way, the Holy Spirit will treat us as lukewarm water and will eventually spit out by the Lord Jesus.

(Romans 12：11-12)

11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;

12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;

There is a sister who lives overseas. After believing in the Lord, she did not read the Bible and pray for a while as she need to study, work, and take care of her family. She even joked to God: "Lord Jesus! You know I haven’t read the Bible for a long time?”. Until one day she had a dream in which she was one of five foolish virgins. Knowing in her heart that the lamp in her hand is out of oil, she still waits for the Lord Jesus with everyone. Suddenly someone knocked on the door and shouted: "The Lord Jesus is coming soon!" At this time, she noticed her lamp. Not only was there no oil in it, but there was also a thick layer of ash. After waking up, she was ashamed and kept asking God for forgiveness. If it were not for the mercy of the Lord Jesus, she might have already been punished for offending God. This was the Lord Jesus’ warning to her and also reminded us that the Lord’s Day is at the door. His delay is still waiting for us who are lost, hurry us back to the right path.

(Matthew 25:13) Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

Translated by Niclole

The Land of Judah (Joshua15)

 This was the inheritance of the tribe of the children of according to their families:(Joshua,15:20)  

    The inheritance of the tribe of Judah of the children of Judah can be separate to 29 cities in the south, as well as villages belonged to the cities. (Joshua,15:21-32) There are 39 cities in the plateau, and there are villages belonged to the cities (Verse 3-44). Cities and regions that were originally belonged to the Philistines (Verse 45-47). There are 38 villages in the mountain, and there are also villages that belonged to the cities. There are six cities in the wilderness and villages belonging to cities (Verse 61-62) There are more than 116 cities in total. With a total of more than 116 cities, it can be described as a huge inheritance because of its large population. (Numbers,26:22) 

    (Genesis,49:8) "Judah, you are he whom your brothers shall praise; Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; Your father's children shall bow down before you. (Genesis,49:9) Judah is a lion's whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He bows down, he lies down as a lion; And as a lion, who shall rouse him? 

    The People of Israel’s ancestor Jacob predicted and expected that the descendants of Judah would be strong and God did give many cities but they need to have faith to attack the cities, Caleb belong to the Judah tribe and Othniel was the son in law of Caleb. Othniel was also the first judge of Israelites. His daughter also boldly seek the water spring. From the above point we can see that Judah tribe have a firmly faith toward the land promise by God. According to God’s word, they seek by the way God instructed therefore the land of Judah can be said won because of faith. 

    (Genesis,49,10) The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor a lawgiver from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes; And to Him shall be the obedience of the people 

    (1 Chronicles,5:2) yet Judah prevailed over his brothers, and from him came a ruler, although the birthright was Joseph's 

    King were from Judah, which prove Jacob’s prophecy. David, the descendent of Judah, who were a righteous king who follow God’s instruction. David’s descendent inherent the position of king from David. When Jesus was on Earth by flesh, God was descendent of David, which fully prove Jacob’s prophecy and demonstrates the righteous king by Judah tribes. 

    (Genesis, 44:33) Now therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the lad as a slave to my lord, and let the lad go up with his brothers. 

    Judah’s blessing was started from his witness to sacrifice for his brother, this is from the love that Judah have that makes him want to make his family peaceful. This helped him to received high review and blessing from his father Jacob. Judah was weak in faith before but God uses Jacob’s blessing to prove that these blessings are on Judah. Which demonstrates that, God bless those who are willing to change. Maybe we don’t love our family enough and may lose faith to God’s promise. If we are willing to change, seek for the happiness, faith given by God then God will bless our descendants. Spiritual leader will come out as our descendent. May all of us can truly believe God’s hope on us, boldly pray to God and believe that God will fulfil us according to our faith. 

    (Hebrews, 11:6) But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Translated by Nicole